American Idol Contestant Charged With Fatal DUI

In California, DUI sentence enhancements are popular because they are seen as a way to deter people from driving under the influence. They are always added in the original filing by the prosecution and cannot be added during sentencing. Previous DUI convictions almost always enhance current DUI charges. However, other things can enhance DUI charges as well. Having a blood-alcohol level over .15 can enhance DUI charges. Speeding and reckless driving are also possible enhancements that can be added to a DUI charge. Being underage or having minors under the age of 14 in the same vehicle can also be used as a possible DUI enhancement. These are just a few of the ways prosecutors can add enhancement charges to DUIs.

25-year-old Kylle Thomasson has been identified as the driver in a Christmas morning accident that killed a tow truck driver.

At about 2 a.m. on Christmas morning, Thomasson was driving northbound on Interstate 5 north of Matthews Road in a 2001 GMC. Thomasson lost control and veered onto the right shoulder, where he collided with the tow truck operator and the tow truck. The vehicle then overturned and went back into oncoming traffic, hitting two other vehicles.

The tow truck operator died at the scene of the crash. There were no other injuries. Thomasson was medically cleared and arrested by the CHP.

Thomasson is facing charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing injury, and other DUI enhancements.

At the time of the crash, Thomasson allegedly had a BAC of .20%. He is being held on $1 million bail.

Thomasson was a contestant on the 10th season of the popular show “American Idol.”